The sacking of two government employees in Jammu and Kashmir over alleged terror links has drawn sharp criticism from certain quarters including the PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti.
The J&K administration under Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha sacked Abdul Rahim Naika and Zahir Abbas in the interest of the state’s security. The decision was taken while citing information from the law enforcement agencies of J&K regarding their connection to terror groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen.
Naika is a pharmacist working in the Health and Medical Education Department and was posted at Kulgam. Abbas on the other hand is a government school teacher at Kishtwar district in the Jammu region.
According to the security agencies, Naika’s links to the Hizbul Mujahideen came to light when they were investigating the killings a politically affiliated individual Ghulam Hassan Lone, which took place at Kulgam in 2021.
Abbas had been arrested in 2020 for his links with the Hizbul Mujahideen. He is said to have harboured three operatives of the outfit. He is currently lodged in the Central Jail, Kot Balwal.
The problem within
Sacking of government employees who were found to be complicit when it came to issues relating to national security began in the year 2019. So far 76 such employees have been sacked for having links with terror groups and separatists.
While these decisions have been met with criticism, in the context of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir which is very fragile, security agencies feel that there is a need to clean up the rot.
This is not a decision that has been taken in any sort of political context explained a security official to Organiser. We are all aware of how violence and separatism prevailed in J&K for so long. Many steps have been taken for over the last ten years including the abrogation of Article 370 to ensure that there is peace, stability and inclusiveness, the official explained.
In order to restore peace and ensure that the entire system functions normally there is a need for multi-pronged action says another officer. This involves giving the Indian Army a free hand, equipping the local police, ensuring better coordination, stopping cross border terrorism, preventing smuggling and also putting an end to separatism. When all these aspects are at work simultaneously, it is also important that government employees who are privy to a lot of information leak the same to those working against the interests of Bharat, the official also explained.
Further government employees also tend to misuse their positions and this has been seen in all these cases. When it comes to misusing one’s position which would eventually compromise national security, such actions are imperative, the officer also added.
Conspiring with the enemy
For many years thanks to appeasement of both the Pakistan deep-state and the Islamabad funded terrorists, political parties had remained silent or looked the other way. There was a time that no operation could be carried out with ease as there was plenty of information that was being leaked from within the system.
Take the case of Deputy Superintendent of Jails in the Union Territory, Feroz Ahmad Lone. He had conspired with terror groups to send young people of Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training. Following this, these youth were sent back to J&K by the Hizbul Mujahideen to carry out terror strikes.
It was found that Lone was coordinating with one Riyaz Naikoo and had helped him gain access to the prison to meet with other terrorists.
Prior to this, six employees of the J&K government were sacked for having terror links. Two among these were police constables and they were accused of aiding the Over Ground Workers of terror groups.
PDP’s allegations unfounded
Mehboob Mufti’s statements in support of such employees are not justified, especially at a time when Pakistan has stepped up the heat in Jammu and Kashmir. The recent couple of months have been hard for the security forces. The peaceful conduct of the elections in the Union Territory is a sign that the people want a democratically elected Indian party to rule. This has angered Pakistan and its frustration and own problems back at home have led to stepping up of terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
At such a time when the security forces are risking their lives to keep peace alive in J&K, rogue government employees play a counter-productive part. Hence sacking or suspending is the only option available with the administration.
Further the law is clear on the issue. The administration while issuing the orders made it clear that every employee is mandatorily required to maintain absolute integrity, honesty and allegiance to the Union of India and Constitution. Th employee shall not do anything unbecoming of a government servant.
Further the decisions are taken only after a nod is given by a designated committee which is mandated to scrutinise sensitive cases under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution. Under this provision of the Constitution, an employee of the government can be sacked by the President of India or Governor if it is being done in the interest of the state.
